Method and apparatus for controlling sound signal output

ABSTRACT

A method and an apparatus control sound signal output. The method of controlling a sound signal output in a terminal includes: storing receiver identifications and corresponding sound signal control parameters associated with each other by the terminal; providing a receiver selection interface capable of selecting one from a list of the receiver identifications and the receiver identifications included in the list by the terminal; receiving one receiver identification through the receiver selection interface; converting a digital sound signal into an analog sound signal by applying a sound signal control parameter corresponding to the received receiver identification; and outputting the analog sound signal.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/947,346 filed on Jul. 22, 2013 which claims, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(a), priority to and the benefit of the earlier filing date of aKorean patent application filed on Jul. 30, 2012 in the KoreanIntellectual Property Office and assigned Serial No. 10-2012-0083437,the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

The present disclosure relates to a method and an apparatus forcontrolling sound signal output, and more particularly, to a method ofsuitable sound output by a receiver connected to a terminal and anapparatus thereof.

2. Description of the Related Art

Various devices in the prior art may output music or other sounds. Inthe past, a user would listen to music or other sound informationthrough a Compact Disc (CD) player or a cassette tape player and througha personal computer, a portable phone, or an MP3 player in the priorart. In particular, a portable phone of the prior art has evolved tobecome a smart phone. Accordingly, the user may conveniently downloadthe music and other sound information in the smart phone through theInternet or other devices. Further, the user may listen to the musicdownloaded in the smart phone through a receiver such as an earphone ora head phone. The user may receive sound data through the smart phoneusing a streaming service method.

In particular, a portable terminal such as the smart phone is frequentlyused in outside environments rather than in indoor environments, or at apublic place such as a subway or a bus. In this case, it is notpreferable to listen to the music using a speaker embedded in the smartphone. First, a user listens to the music using a speaker in publicfacilities such as the subway would adversely affect other nearbypassengers or citizens. When a speaker is used in the outsideenvironment, it is also difficult to listen to the music due to externalnoise. Accordingly, most portable terminals include a connectorinserting unit (plug) capable of connecting a connector (jack) such asan earphone or a head-phone. The earphone/head-phone receives a soundsignal output from the plug. In the prior art, a device receiving asound signal output from the earphone/head-phone or other plugs andproviding the received sound signal to a user is referred to as areceiver.

Various companies have manufactured various receiver models. Outputcharacteristics of each receiver model are different from each other.For example, some models output a relatively large sound but othermodels output a relatively small sound with respect to the same soundsignal. Some models increase a sound of a low sound band but reduce asound of a high sound band with respect to the same sound signal,whereas other models increase a sound of the high sound band but reducea sound of the low sound band with respect to the same sound signal. Inorder to provide a sound similar to an original sound or a soundsuitable for listening by the user, there is a need to adjust a suitablesound signal according to each receiver model. However, according to theprior art, when the portable terminal is manufactured, a sound signaloptimized to a bundle receiver of the portable terminal; that is, areceiver bundled or sold with the portable terminal, is set to beoutput. However, an actual user frequently uses an earphone or ahead-phone purchased by the user instead of the bundle receiver. In thiscase, an optimal sound may not be provided to the user.

SUMMARY

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, andprovides a method of controlling a sound signal output which allows auser to receive an optimal sound by providing a suitable sound signalaccording to a receiver, and an apparatus thereof.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a method ofcontrolling a sound signal output in a terminal includes: storingreceiver identifications and corresponding sound signal controlparameters associated with each other by the terminal; providing areceiver selection interface capable of selecting one from a list of thereceiver identifications and the receiver identifications included inthe list by the terminal; receiving one receiver identification throughthe receiver selection interface; converting a digital sound signal intoan analog sound signal by applying a sound signal control parametercorresponding to the received receiver identification; and outputtingthe analog sound signal.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an apparatusfor controlling a sound signal output includes: a memory storingreceiver identifications and corresponding sound signal controlparameters associated with each other; a display unit displaying a listof the receiver identifications; a controller providing a receiverselection interface capable of selecting one from the receiveridentifications included in the list; an input unit receiving onereceiver identification through the receiver selection interface; and anaudio processor converting a digital sound signal into an analog soundsignal by applying a sound signal control parameter corresponding to thereceived receiver identification and outputting the analog sound signal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above features and advantages of the present invention will be moreapparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an apparatusfor controlling a sound signal output according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a soundsignal output according to the exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a user interface for setting a soundsignal control parameter according to a first exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a user interface for setting a soundsignal control parameter according to a second exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a user interface for setting a soundsignal control parameter according to a third exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating step 250 of FIG. 2 in more detail;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a modified example of step 270 shownin FIG. 2 in more detail; and

FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are graphs illustrating frequency responses ofreceivers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Here, a method and an apparatus for controlling a sound signal outputaccording to exemplary embodiments of the present invention aredescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings in detail. Thesame reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to thesame or like parts. For the purposes of clarity and simplicity, detaileddescriptions of well-known functions and structures incorporated hereinmay be omitted to avoid obscuring the subject matter of the presentinvention.

The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different formsand should not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments setforth herein. In addition, terms described herein, which are definedwith reference to the functions of the present invention, may beimplemented differently depending on a user or operator's intention andpractice. Therefore, the terms should be understood on the basis of thedisclosure throughout the specification. The principles and features ofthis invention may be employed in varied and numerous exemplaryembodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.

Furthermore, although the drawings represent exemplary embodiments ofthe invention, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certainfeatures may be exaggerated or omitted in order to more clearlyillustrate and explain the present invention.

Among the terms set forth herein, a terminal refers to any kind ofdevice capable of processing data which is transmitted or received to orfrom any external entity. The terminal may display icons or menus on ascreen to which stored data and various executable functions areassigned or mapped. The terminal may include a computer, a notebook, atablet PC, a mobile device, and the like.

Among the terms set forth herein, a screen refers to a display or otheroutput devices which visually display information to the user, and whichoptionally are capable of receiving and electronically processingtactile inputs from a user using a stylo, a finger of the user, or othertechniques for conveying a user selection from the user to the outputdevices.

Among the terms set forth herein, an icon refers to a graphical elementsuch as a figure or a symbol displayed on the screen of the device suchthat a user can easily select a desired function or data. In particular,each icon has a mapping relation with any function being executable inthe device or with any data stored in the device and is used forprocessing functions or selecting data in the device. When a userselects one of the displayed icons, the device identifies a particularfunction or data associated with the selected icon. Then the deviceexecutes the identified function or displays the identified data.

Among the terms set forth herein, data refers to any kind of informationprocessed by the device, including text and/or images received from anyexternal entities, messages transmitted or received, and informationcreated when a specific function is executed by the device.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an apparatus100 for controlling a sound signal output according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 100 for controlling asound signal output according to the exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention includes a radio frequency (RF) communication unit 110, anaudio processor 120, a touch screen 130, a key input unit 140, a memory150, and a controller 160. The apparatus 100 for controlling a soundsignal output may be implemented in the form of a terminal, for example,a portable terminal such as a smart phone, a navigation device, or aPDA.

The RF communication unit 110 performs a transceiving function ofcorresponding data for wireless communication of the apparatus 100 forcontrolling a sound signal output. The RF communication unit 110 mayinclude at least one of an RF transmitter for up-converting a frequencyof a transmitted signal and amplifying the converted signal, an RFreceiver for low-noise-amplifying a received signal and down-convertingthe amplified signal, and similar communication modules. The RFcommunication unit 110 receives and outputs data through a wirelesschannel to the controller 160 and transmits data outputted from thecontroller 160. The RF communication unit 110 may be omitted in a caseof an apparatus for controlling a sound signal output which does notrequire a wireless communication function. In particular, according tothe exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the RF communicationunit 110 may transmit a search word to an external device or request asound signal control parameter from the external device, for example,using known communication methods and accessing various external devicessuch using any known network, including the Internet or other knownsources of data, and receive and transfer a response to the controller160 under control of the controller 160. Data transceived by the RFcommunication unit 110 will be described herein with reference to FIGS.6 and 7.

The audio processor 120 converts a digital audio (sound) signal into ananalog audio signal through an audio CODEC and plays the analog audiosignal through a receiver, such as the speaker SPK shown in FIG. 1,which may be any known audio speaker and/or a connector, jack, or plugto an external audio device, as described herein. As used herein, theterm “receiver” refers to a speaker such as the speaker SPK or an audiodevice, as well as a connector, jack, or plug to an external audiodevice. The audio processor 120 converts an analog audio signal inputfrom a microphone MIC into a digital audio signal through an audioCODEC. The audio processor 120 may include a CODEC. The CODEC mayinclude a data CODEC processing packet data and an audio CODECprocessing an audio signal such as a voice. In particular, the audioprocessor 120 according to the exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention selects a sound signal control parameter according to a usersetting. The audio processor 120 converts a digital audio signal into ananalog audio signal using the selected sound signal control parameter,and transfers the converted analog audio signal to the receiver orspeaker SPK. A connector (jack) of the receiver is connected to aconnector insertion unit (plug) of the terminal implementing theapparatus 100. The receiver refers to a sound output device which may beconnected to a connector insertion unit of an earphone, a head-phone, orother connectors or plugs. The receiver receives an analog audio signalthrough the connector and the connector insertion unit and converts theanalog audio signal into a real sound. The connector insertion unittransfers an analog audio signal from the audio processor 120 to thereceiver. For example, the connector insertion unit may include variousconnectors or plugs, such as a 3.5 mm earphone plug, a 2.5 mm earphoneplug, a 20 pin plug, and a 24 pin plug. Since a shape of the connectorinsertion unit is not important in the present invention, a detaileddescription thereof is omitted.

The touch screen 130 includes a touch sensor 131 and a display unit 132.The touch sensor 131 detects a touch input of the user. The touch sensor131 may be configured by a touch detection sensor such as a capacitiveoverlay sensor, a resistive overlay sensor, an infrared beam sensor, ora pressure sensor. Various types of sensor devices capable of detectingcontact or pressure of an object may be configured as the touch sensor131 of the present invention in addition to the foregoing sensors. Thetouch sensor 131 detects a touch input of the user and generates andtransmits a detection signal to the controller 160. The detection signalincludes coordinates data which represents where on the touch screen 130the user inputs the touch.

The display unit 132 visually provides and displays a menu of theapparatus 100 for controlling a sound signal output, input data,function setting information and other various information to the user.The display unit 132 may be configured by a Liquid Crystal Display(LCD), an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED), and an Active MatrixOrganic Light Emitting Diode (AMOLED). The display unit 132 performs afunction of outputting a booting screen, an idle screen, a menu screen,a call screen, and other application screens of the apparatus 100 forcontrolling a sound signal output. Further, the display unit 132enlarges and displays a picture, screen, or interface under the controlof the controller 160.

Although the apparatus 100 for controlling a sound signal outputincludes the touch sensor 131 as illustrated above, the exemplaryembodiment of the present invention is not limited to an apparatus 100for controlling a sound signal output including the touch sensor 131.When the present invention is applied to an alternative embodiment ofthe apparatus 100 for controlling a sound signal output but having notouch sensor 131, the touch screen 130 may be transformed or implementedand applied to perform only a function of the display unit 132.

The key input unit 140 receives a key operation of the user forcontrolling the apparatus 100 for controlling a sound signal output andgenerates and transfers an input signal to the controller 160. The keyinput unit 140 may be configured by a key pad including a character key,a symbol key, a numeric key, and/or an arrow key, and may be configuredby a predetermined function key provided at one side of the apparatus100 for controlling the sound signal output. In a case of the apparatus100 for controlling the sound signal output being capable of performingall operations by only a touch screen 130, the key input unit 140 may beomitted.

Both of the key input unit 140 and the touch sensor 131 receive an inputof a user and transfer the input of the user to the controller 160. Forthis reason, the key input unit 140 and the touch sensor 131 may begenerally called an input unit, and so the term “input unit” refersherein to either or both of the key input unit 140 and the touch sensor131.

The input unit and the display unit 132 may provide a user interface asshown in FIGS. 3 to 5 under control of the controller 160. A detailedconfiguration of the user interface will be described with reference toFIGS. 3 to 5.

The memory 150 stores programs and data necessary for an operation ofthe apparatus 100 for controlling a sound signal output. The memory 150may be divided into a program area and a data area. The program area maystore a program controlling an overall operation of the apparatus 100for controlling a sound signal output, an operating system for bootingthe apparatus 100 for controlling a sound signal output, an applicationprogram necessary for playing multi-media contents, and an applicationprogram necessary for other optional functions of the apparatus 100 inaddition to controlling a sound signal output, for example, a camerafunction, a sound playback function, and an image or moving imageplayback function. The data area may store data generated according touse of the apparatus 100 for controlling a sound signal output, images,moving pictures, phone-books, and audio data.

In particular, the memory 150 according to the exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention may store receiver identifications andcorresponding sound signal control parameters associated with eachother. According to a modified example, the memory 150 may further storereceiver identifications, corresponding producer names, and receivertypes. The data stored in the memory 150 will be described herein withreference to FIGS. 3 to 5.

The controller 160 controls an overall operation with respect to theconstituent elements of the apparatus 100 for controlling a sound signaloutput. In particular, the controller 160 may provide an interface asillustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5. Further, the controller 160 may select asuitable parameter according to an input of a user through any of themethods of FIG. 2, FIG. 6, or FIG. 7, and accordingly controls the audioprocessor 120 to convert a digital sound signal into an analog soundsignal. A detailed operation of the controller 160 will be describedwith reference to FIGS. 2 to 7.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method 200 of controlling a soundsignal output according to the exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

A memory 150 stores receiver identifications and corresponding soundsignal control parameters associated with each other in step 210. Forexample, a terminal producer or manufacturer of the apparatus 100implemented, for example, in the form of a portable terminal, maypre-store corresponding data in the memory 150 during the time ofmanufacture of the apparatus 100, and provide the corresponding data toa consumer or user. According to an alternative exemplary embodiment, asoftware provider or user may operate the apparatus 100 for controllinga sound signal output to store receiver identifications andcorresponding sound signal control parameters associated with each otherin the memory 150. The user may store the receiver identifications andcorresponding sound signal control parameters associated with each otherby downloading and installing an application or updating theapplication. According to a modified example, the memory 150 may furtherstore the receiver identifications (ID) and corresponding producer namesand/or receiver type information.

Table 1 provides examples of information stored by the memory 150according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

TABLE 1 Receiver ID Parameter Receiver type Produce name SENY MCD . . .A Earphone SENY SASA FDR . . . B Head-phone SASA YETTIE GPD . . . CEarphone YETTIE

In Table 1, the receiver ID and the sound signal control parameter areessential, but the receiver type and the producer name information maybe optionally included or excluded, or may be unnecessary according tothe exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The receiver ID is not always a unique value, but the receiver ID issufficient if the receiver ID includes information indicating whichreceiver represents a combination of a model name and other informationsubstantially obtained or used by the user. For example, when thereceiver IDs have the same two records, if the receivers has differentproducer names or receiver types, different producer names or receivertypes are provided to the user so that the user distinguishes thereceivers. The receiver ID may also include a model name of acorresponding receiver, but the present invention is not limitedthereto. According to the exemplary embodiment, the receiver ID mayinclude a nickname or an alias other than a normal model name.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the controller 160 determines whether arequest of a preset picture, image, or display screen of the displayunit 132 is input in step 220. The request of the preset picture mayinclude a request for a preset picture or screen of an operating systemor an application of the apparatus for controlling a sound signaloutput, and other suitable or known menus and methods, such as userinterfaces. As used herein the term “picture” refers to an image such asa screen image and/or a user interface output or displayed by thedisplay unit 132.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a user interface for setting a soundsignal control parameter according to a first exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention.

A receiver setting button 311 is displayed on a first picture 310. Theuser may select the receiver setting button 311 to receive a detailedinterface for setting the sound signal control parameter.

According to the modified example, when it is detected that a connector,jack, or other members such as a speaker plug is inserted into aconnector insertion unit instead of an explicit button being pressed,the display unit 132 may provide or display an interface as illustratedin a second picture 320. According to another modified example, when anapplication requiring a sound output is executed or an applicationexecutes a function requiring the sound output, an application asillustrated in the second picture 320 of FIG. 3 may be provided.

Referring back to FIG. 2, when a request of the preset picture is inputthrough an input unit at step 220, the process goes to step 230.However, in step 220 when the request of the preset picture is not inputthrough the input unit, the input is processed in a scheme or method ofthe related art or of the prior art in step 225, and the method loopsback to step 220.

The controller 160 displays a list of receiver IDs through the displayunit 132 and provides an interface capable of selecting one receiver IDfrom the list through the display unit 132 and the input unit in step230.

Referring back to FIG. 3, a list 322 of receiver IDs is displayed on thesecond picture 320. When all receiver IDs are not or cannot be displayedon one picture, a scroll bar 324 may be provided to scroll down or up toview more available receiver IDs. The user may select one specificreceiver ID from the displayed receiver IDs included in the list 322 ofreceiver IDs. According to a modified example, the list 322 of receiverIDs may display a type and a producer name of a receiver as well as thereceiver ID. Hereinafter, the same modification is applicable to theexemplary embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5.

The third picture or interface 330 is displayed in FIG. 3. When the userselects, for example. “SENY MCD-EX1000 EARPHONE” from the list 322 inthe second picture 320, the controller 160 may provide a message 332 tothe user to confirm the selection. The user may select one choice frombuttons 334 and 336 to determine or confirm the selection using theaccept or YES button 334, or to cancel the selection using the cancel orNO button 336. According to the exemplary embodiment, a procedure fordisplaying the third picture 330 may be omitted.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a user interface for setting a soundsignal control parameter according to a second exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention.

According to the second exemplary embodiment, when the receiver settingbutton 311 is selected from the first picture 310 in FIG. 3, thecontroller 160 controls the display unit 132 to display a first picture420 of FIG. 4. A list 422 of producer names is provided by the firstpicture 420 of FIG. 4, and the list 422 may be scrolled through usingthe scroll bar or buttons 424. The list 422 of producer names mayinclude the whole producer names stored in data of Table 1. In oneexample, the user selects one producer name, for example, “SENY” fromthe list 422. In this case, the controller 160 controls the display unit132 to display a second picture 430 of FIG. 4. A list 432 of allreceiver IDs corresponding a producer “SENY” is included in the secondpicture 430 of FIG. 4, and the list 432 may be scrolled through usingthe scroll bar or buttons 434. The user may select one receiver ID fromthe list 432. In the same manner as a case of FIG. 3, for convenience ofthe user, scroll bars 424 and 434 may be provided in the pictures 420,430, respectively. The list 322 of receiver IDs may be excessively longin the case of FIG. 3 so that it may be difficult to select a receiverID. Accordingly, as in a case of FIG. 4, the selection may be easilyachieved by reducing the number of receiver IDs displayed from selectionof a producer name.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a user interface for setting a soundsignal control parameter according to a third exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention.

In the same manner as in the first picture 420 of FIG. 4, a list 522 ofproducer names is provided to the first picture 510 of FIG. 5, and thelist 522 may be scrolled through using the scroll bar or buttons 524. Ifthe user selects one receiver ID from the list 522, the controller 160controls the display unit 132 to display a receiver type selectioninterface using the second picture 530 of FIG. 5. The second picture 530of FIG. 5 includes a list 532 of receiver types, and the list 532 may bescrolled through using the scroll bar or buttons 534. For example, thelist 532 of receiver types may include at least one of an earphone, ahead-phone, and a (external) speaker. If a producer selected from thefirst picture 510 of FIG. 5 corresponds to a specific type of receiver,only a type corresponding to the producer may be displayed.

If one type of producer is selected from the second picture 530 of FIG.5, the controller 160 may provide a third picture 540 of FIG. 5. A list542 of receiver IDs suitable for a producer name and a receiver typeselected from the first picture 510 and the second picture 530 isdisplayed on the third picture 540 of FIG. 5, and the list 542 may bescrolled through using the scroll bar or buttons 544. That is, aproducer “SENY” and an “earphone” type are selected from the firstpicture 510 and the second picture 530 of FIG. 5, respectively, and alist 542 of an ID of a receiver corresponding to an earphone amongreceivers produced by SENY may be displayed. According to a modifiedexample, a producer name may be skipped and only the receiver type maybe selected. According to another modified example, the user may firstselect a receiver type and then select a producer name. According tostill another modified example, the user may select a combination of thereceiver type and the producer name at one time.

In the same manner as in the case of FIG. 3, in the exemplary embodimentof FIG. 5, scroll bars 524, 534, and 544 may be provided for convenienceof a user for the lists 522, 532, 542 in pictures 510, 530, 540,respectively.

Referring back to FIG. 2, when step 230 is performed after the selectionin FIGS. 3 to 5, the process goes to step 240.

The controller 160 determines whether a receiver ID is selected in step240. The user may select a receiver ID in the exemplary embodiment ofthe pictures or interface of FIGS. 3 to 5, and may perform another inputinstead of selecting the receiver ID. When the receiver ID is selected,the process goes to step 270. The controller 160 loads a sound signalcontrol parameter corresponding to the selected receiver ID from thememory 150, and controls the audio processor 120 to convert a digitalsound signal into an analog sound signal using the sound signal controlparameter in step 270, in a manner known in the art, such as byamplification or filtering, as described in connection with Table 2, andthen the process of FIG. 2 ends. The sound signal control parameter mayinclude a parameter indicating an intensity to which the sound signal isto be converted and/or a parameter indicating an intensity to which thesound signal with respect to a specific frequency band is to beconverted.

Table 2 illustrates a sound signal control parameter according to theexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

TABLE 2 Total signal Receiver ID intensity First band . . . Eighth bandA  10 dB 30 dB . . . 40 dB B −10 dB −2 dB . . . 60 dB

Referring to the Table 2, in a case of a parameter corresponding to areceiver ID A, the whole sound signal is increased by 10 dB, a firstband signal is increased by 30 dB in addition to the whole signalintensity of 10 dB, and an eighth band signal is increased by 40 dB inaddition to the whole signal intensity of 10 dB. In a case of aparameter corresponding to a received ID B, the whole sound signal isreduced by 10 dB, and a first band signal is reduced by 2 dB in additionto the whole signal intensity of 10 dB. That is, the first band signalis reduced by 12 dB. Further, the eighth band signal is increased by 60dB. When coupled with the whole signal intensity of −10 dB, the eighthband signal is increased by 50 dB.

A sound frequency is divided into, for example, eight bands, butalternatively the sound frequency may be divided into more bands or lessbands. A frequency band may maintain a constant interval with a logscale or may use preset bands according to a predetermined or selectedsetting. Different frequency bands with respect to each parameter may beseparately used.

According to a modified example, when a sound signal control parametercorresponding to the selected receiver ID is not stored in the memory150, the controller 160 requests the sound signal control parameter froman external device to receive the sound signal control parameter, andthe audio processor 120 may convert a sound signal by applying theparameter acquired from the external device. The modified example willbe described herein with reference to FIG. 7.

Referring back to step 240, when the receiver ID is not selected at step240, the process goes to step 245.

When the user does not find a receiver ID suitable for an interface asillustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5, the user may input a search word in amanner known in the art. The controller 160 may provide an interface,known in the art, for receiving a search word inputted by the userthrough the touch screen 130 and/or the key input unit 140 together withor separately from an interface of FIGS. 3 to 5. When the search word isinput and detected in step 245, the process goes to step 250. When thesearch word is not detected as having been input in step 245, theprocess in FIG. 2 is terminated. According to another alternativeexemplary embodiment, steps 245 and 250 may be omitted. In this case, asearch word input interface is not provided.

Referring back to step 250, the apparatus 100 processes a receivedsearch word in step 250 to search for and match the search word with areceiver ID to select the matching receiver ID, or otherwise to not finda match. Then the process of FIG. 2 terminates.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating step 250 of FIG. 2 in more detail.

Referring to FIG. 6, the controller 160 transmits a search word to anexternal device through an RF communication unit 110 in step 610. Forexample, the external device may be an external service accessed througha network, such as the Internet, and held or operated by a communicationbusiness, a terminal manufacturer, and application distributor. Whenreceiving the search word, the external device may search a receiver IDlist corresponding to the search word from an internal database of theexternal device or a database established in a separate service, and maytransfer the receiver ID list to the apparatus 100 for controlling asound signal output. The RF communication unit 110 receives the receiverID list corresponding to the search word from the external device instep 620. When a receiver ID is not included in the receiver ID listcorresponding to the search word, the apparatus 100 for controlling asound signal output may output an error message.

When at least one receiver ID is included in the receiver ID listcorresponding to the search word, the controller 160 controls thedisplay unit 132 to display a corresponding receiver ID list to the userand provides an interface so that the user may select one receiver IDfrom items of a corresponding list in step 630. The interface of step630 may be a form similar to the interface illustrated in the picturesof FIGS. 3 to 5.

The controller 160 determines whether a receiver ID is input from theuser in step 640. The user may select one receiver ID from the listdisplayed in step 630. However, when a suitable receiver ID is includedin the list displayed in step 630, the receiver ID may not be selectedfrom the list. When the receiver ID is not selected by the user in step640, the process skips steps 650-670 and is terminated, and a soundsignal may be converted according to a default parameter. When thereceiver ID is selected by the user and detected in step 640, theprocess goes to step 650.

The controller 160 controls the RF communication unit 110 in step 650 totransmit a parameter request signal including a corresponding receiverID to the external device previously communicated with in step 610.After step 650, RF communication unit 110 receives a sound signalcontrol parameter corresponding to the receiver ID from the externaldevice in step 660. The controller 160 controls the audio processor 120to convert a digital sound signal into an analog sound signal accordingto the received sound signal control parameter in step 670.

According to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6, a suitable parameterwith respect to a receiver ID, which may not be stored in the apparatus100 for controlling a sound signal output, is acquired using theexternal device, and a sound signal may be converted based on theacquired parameter.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a modified example of step 270 shownin FIG. 2 in more detail.

If sound signal control parameters with respect to all receiver IDs arestored in the apparatus 100 for controlling a sound signal output, theprocedure of FIG. 7 may be omitted. However, when sound signal controlparameters with respect to all or some of the receiver IDs are notstored in the apparatus 100 for controlling a sound signal output, theprocedure of FIG. 7 may be used.

The RF communication unit 110 transmits a request of a sound signalcontrol parameter corresponding to the receiver ID selected at step 240in step 710. The RF communication unit 110 receives a sound signalcontrol parameter corresponding to the request from the external devicein step 720. The controller 160 controls the audio processor 120 toconvert a sound signal by applying the received parameter in step 730,and the process of FIG. 7 then terminates.

In the procedure of FIG. 7, a sound signal control parameter withrespect to the receiver ID is used to convert the sound signal. If someof the sound signal control parameters with respect to the receiver IDare stored in the memory 150, the controller 160 may determine whether asound signal control parameter with respect to the selected receiver IDis stored in the memory 150. When the sound signal control parameterwith respect to the selected receiver ID is stored in the memory 150,the procedure of FIG. 7 is omitted and the sound signal controlparameter stored in the memory 150 may be used. When the sound signalcontrol parameter with respect to the receiver ID is not stored in thememory 150, the procedure of FIG. 7 may be executed. In addition, thecontroller 160 may store the received sound signal control parameter inthe memory 150 associated with a corresponding receiver ID.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are graphs illustrating frequency responses of examplereceivers.

Upon comparison of a graph of FIG. 8 for a first receiver with a firstreceiver ID with a graph of FIG. 9 for a second receiver with a secondreceiver ID, the first receiver of FIG. 8 outputs a relatively weaksignal in the band of 20 Hz to 200 Hz, and outputs an excellent signalin the band of 1 kHz to 5 kHz in comparison with the second receiver ofFIG. 9. A signal output becomes weak in the band of 10 kHz to 20 kHz.Meanwhile, the second receiver of FIG. 9 outputs a relatively stablesignal in the band of 20 Hz to 200 Hz, and outputs a weak signal in theband of 1 kHz to 5 kHz in comparison with the first receiver of FIG. 8.Further, great variation occurs in the band of 10 kHz to 20 kHz.

Such receiver information indicating optimal signal performance of aparticular receiver, as well as less optimal signal performance, such asshown in FIGS. 8-9 and described above, may be displayed as sound signalcontrol parameters in the pictures or screens shown in FIGS. 3-5,allowing a user to select receivers based on desired and optimalperformance of a given receiver.

According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention,corresponding sound signal control parameters are previously stored inthe receivers of FIG. 8 or FIG. 9 or are acquired from the externaldevice. After that, the sound signal may be output in a suitable formaccording to selection of the user by applying the sound signal controlparameters upon conversion of the sound signal.

Since computer program instructions may be mounted, loaded, or stored ina processor of a universal computer, a special computer or otherprogrammable data processing equipment, instructions performed through aprocessor of a computer or other programmable data processing equipmentgenerates components for performing functions described in one or moreof the blocks or steps of the flowcharts. Since the computer programinstructions may be stored in a computer available for or computerreadable memory capable of orienting or configuring a computer or otherprogrammable data processing equipment to implement functions in aspecific method, available instructions stored in the computer or acomputer readable memory may produce manufacturing articles involving aninstruction device executing functions described in the one or moreblocks or steps of the flowcharts. Because the computer programinstructions may be mounted, loaded, or stored on a computer or otherprogrammable data processing equipment, a series of operation steps areperformed in the computer or other programmable data processingequipment to create a process executed by the computer such thatinstructions performing the computer or other programmable dataprocessing equipment may provide steps for executing functions describedin the one or more blocks or steps of the flowcharts.

Further, each block may indicate a part of a module, a segment, or acode including at least one executable instruction for executing one ormore specific logical functions. It should be noted that severalexecution examples may generate functions described in blocks or stepsout of an order. For example, two continuously shown blocks or steps maybe simultaneously performed, and the blocks or steps may be performed inan inverse order according to corresponding functions.

As used in the description herein of the exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention, the term “unit” refers to software or a hardwarestructural element such as FPGA or ASIC, and the “unit” perform specificroles. However, the “unit” is not limited to software or hardware. The“unit” can be configured to be stored in an addressable storage mediumand to play or operate at least one processor. Accordingly, for example,the “unit” includes software structural elements, object-orientedsoftware structural elements, class structural elements, task structuralelements, processes, functions, attributes, procedures, subroutines,segments of a program code, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuit, data,database, data structures, tables, arrays, and variables. Functionsprovided in structural elements and “units” may be engaged by thesmaller number of structural elements and “units”, or may be divided byadditional structural elements and “units”. Furthermore, structuralelements and “units” may be implemented to play or operate a device orat least one CPU in a security multimedia card.

According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the usercan receive an optimal sound by providing a suitable sound signalaccording to the receiver.

The above-described apparatus and methods according to the presentinvention can be implemented in hardware or firmware, or as software orcomputer code, or combinations thereof. Various components such as acontroller, a central processing unit (CPU), a processor, and any unitor device described herein includes at least hardware and/or otherphysical structures and elements. In addition, the software or computercode can also be stored in a non-transitory recording medium such as aCD ROM, a RAM, a ROM whether erasable or rewritable or not, a floppydisk, CDs, DVDs, memory chips, a hard disk, a magnetic storage media, anoptical recording media, or a magneto-optical disk or computer codedownloaded over a network originally stored on a remote recordingmedium, a computer readable recording medium, or a non-transitorymachine readable medium and to be stored on a local recording medium, sothat the methods described herein can be rendered in such software,computer code, software modules, software objects, instructions,applications, applets, apps, etc. that is stored on the recording mediumusing a general purpose computer, a digital computer, or a specialprocessor or in programmable or dedicated hardware, such as an ASIC orFPGA. As would be understood in the art, the computer, the processor,microprocessor controller or the programmable hardware include volatileand/or non-volatile storage and memory components, e.g., RAM, ROM,Flash, etc. that may store or receive software or computer code thatwhen accessed and executed by the computer, processor or hardwareimplement the processing methods described herein. In addition, it wouldbe recognized that when a general purpose computer accesses code forimplementing the processing shown herein, the execution of the codetransforms the general purpose computer into a special purpose computerfor executing the processing shown herein. In addition, the program maybe electronically transferred through any medium such as communicationsignals transmitted by wire/wireless connections, and their equivalents.The programs and computer readable recording medium can also bedistributed in network-coupled computer systems so that the computerreadable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.

Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed in detail hereinabove, it should be clearly understood thatmany variations and modifications of the basic inventive concepts hereintaught which may appear to those skilled in the present art will stillfall within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as defined inthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of controlling a sound signal output ina terminal, the method comprising: displaying, when an applicationrequiring a sound output is executed, a receiver selection interfaceincluding a displayed list of receiver identifications representingreceivers connectable to the terminal; receiving a selection for areceiver identification from the list through the receiver selectioninterface; applying a sound signal control parameter corresponding tothe selected receiver identification to a sound signal; and outputtingthe applied sound signal to a receiver corresponding to the selectedreceiver identification.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the terminalstores the receiver identifications and manufacturer names correspondingto the receiver identifications; and the method further comprises:displaying a manufacturer selection interface including a list of themanufacturer names; and receiving a selection of a manufacturer namefrom the list of the manufacturer names through the manufacturerselection interface, wherein the receiver selection interface isgenerated in response to receiving the selection of the manufacturername, and wherein the receiver identifications in the list correspond tothe selected manufacturer name.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein theterminal stores the receiver identifications, manufacturer namescorresponding to the receiver identifications, and receiver typescorresponding to the receiver identifications; and wherein the methodcomprises: displaying a manufacturer selection interface including alist of manufacturer names; receiving a selection of a manufacturer namethrough the manufacturer selection interface; displaying a typeselection interface for receiving a selection of a type of the receiver;and receiving the selection of the type of the receiver through the typeselection interface, wherein the list of receiver identifications of thereceiver selection interface is displayed corresponding to the selectedmanufacturer name and the selected type of receiver.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: determining whether the sound signalcontrol parameter corresponding to the selected receiver identificationis stored in the terminal; and acquiring the sound signal controlparameter corresponding to the selected receiver identification from anexternal device through a network when the sound signal controlparameter corresponding to the selected receiver identification is notstored in the terminal.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:receiving a search word; transmitting the received search word to anexternal device; receiving the receiver identification listcorresponding to the search word from the external device; transmitting,if an input for selecting the receiver identification from the receivedreceiver identification list is detected, the receiver identification tothe external device; and acquiring the sound signal control parametercorresponding the transmitted receiver identification from the externaldevice.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the list of receiveridentifications includes at least one earphone or headphoneidentification and an associated manufacturer name.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the list of receiver identifications further includesat least one model number associated with the at least one earphone orheadphone identification.
 8. An apparatus for controlling a sound signaloutput, the apparatus comprising: a touch display screen; an audioprocessor; and at least one processor configured to: display, when anapplication requiring a sound output is executed, via the touch displayscreen, a receiver selection interface including a list of receiveridentifications representing receivers connectable to the apparatus,receive, via the touch display screen, a selection of a receiveridentification through the receiver selection interface, applying asound signal control parameter corresponding to the selected receiveridentification to a sound signal, and output the applied sound signal toa receiver corresponding to the selected receiver identification.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 8, further comprising a memory configured to storereceiver identifications and manufacturer names corresponding to thereceiver identifications, wherein: the at least one processor isconfigured to: display, via the touch display screen, a manufacturerselection interface including a list of the manufacturer names, andreceive, via the touch display screen, a selection of a manufacturername in the list of the manufacturer names through the manufacturerselection interface, and the receiver selection interface is generatedin response to receiving the selection of the manufacturer name, whereinthe receiver identifications correspond to the selected manufacturername.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a memoryconfigured to store the receiver identifications, manufacturer namescorresponding to the receiver identifications, and receiver typescorresponding to the receiver identifications, wherein: the at least oneprocessor is configured to: display, via the touch display screen, amanufacturer selection interface including a list of the manufacturernames, receive, via the touch display screen, a selection of onemanufacturer name through the manufacturer selection interface, display,via the touch display screen, a type selection interface for receiving aselection of a type of the receiver, and receive a selected type of thereceiver through the type selection interface, and the receiverselection interface including the list of receiver identifications isdisplayed corresponding to the selected manufacturer name and theselected type of receiver.
 11. The apparatus of claim 8, furthercomprising a memory and a communication unit comprising at least one ofan RF transmitter and an RF receiver, wherein: the at least oneprocessor is configured to: determine whether the sound signal controlparameter corresponding to the selected receiver identification isstored in the memory, and acquire, via the communication unit, the soundsignal control parameter corresponding to the selected receiveridentification from an external device through a network if the soundsignal control parameter corresponding to the selected receiveridentification is not stored in the memory.
 12. The apparatus of claim8, further comprising a communication unit comprising at least one of anRF transmitter and an RF receiver, wherein: the at least one processoris configured to: receive a search word, transmit the received searchword to an external device, receive the receiver identification listcorresponding to the search word from the external device, transmit, ifan input for selecting the receiver identification from the receiveridentification list is detected, the receiver identification to theexternal device, and acquire the sound signal control parametercorresponding the transmitted receiver identification from the externaldevice.
 13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the list of receiveridentifications includes at least one earphone or headphoneidentification and an associated manufacturer name.
 14. The apparatus ofclaim 8, wherein the list of receiver identifications further includesat least one model number associated with the at least one earphone orheadphone identification.
 15. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein theapparatus is a mobile device.
 16. A non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium having stored therein program instructions, which whenexecuted by a processor of an electronic device, causes the electronicdevice to perform the method of claim
 1. 17. An apparatus comprising: atouch screen; a connector insertion unit configured for insertion of aconnector to a receiver; and memory to store first receiveridentification and second receiver identification, the first receiveridentification corresponding to a first receiver external to theapparatus and operatively connectable to the apparatus, and the secondreceiver identification corresponding to a second receiver external tothe apparatus and operatively connectable to the apparatus; and aprocessor adapted to: in response to execution of an applicationrequiring a sound output, display, via the touch screen, receiverinformation including first receiver information corresponding to thefirst receiver identification, and second receiver informationcorresponding to the second receiver identification; select one of thefirst receiver information and the second receiver information inresponse to a user input; applying a setting corresponding to theselected receiver information to a sound signal; and outputting theapplied sound signal to the receiver corresponding to the selected oneof the first receiver information and the second receiver information.18. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a wirelesscommunication module, wherein the processor is adapted to: receive, viathe wireless communication module, at least a portion of the firstreceiver identification, the second receiver identification, or thesetting from an electronic device external to the apparatus.